Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-26
!. REPRESENTATION PROBLEM
HOW will it be solved When the
Ponulation is 1Oo,oO0,O0O?
s..o,a thu ye4O York Sun.

ravay nroblem than that OF taxes ana
100 yvas sure to arise IN the future,
.d a .uture not very far of, and 1t is a
.nos,ion that touches the vital spot IN our
q,rm of government. That is the question
;, annortionment. The apportionment
'non which the present House OF Repre-
NLtotives is based is the work
~aInlv of Mr.. Cox, and he spent many
~oaks ia most assiduous labor
N preparing the bill. 1t looks
"o-v easy, but it is not. All you have
,e t r. do is to decide how many people
EUs he entitled to Representative, and
sSsn divide the total population OF each
stote nv this figure. That Will give the
lumber of Representatives each state Is
Dntitled TO. But the trouble is TO NIX the
alto. 1t is a growing trouble, andlt Is
roing to be very difficult. Mr.. Cox IN
deed is disposed to think that 1t may oe-
uona a very dangerous trouble. and
6ne 10 the TACT tnat some tihe
" other, not many genera
Tons hence, the population OF the
fuited States will be numbered among
INC hundred millions. There won't be
NV NV trouble about raising crops enough
% food a thousand millions in this cOun-
nv The whole population, $4,000, 600. by
,ha census Of 1880, might be placed in the
S'o+c of Texas and not be crowded any
more than the people of Great Britain are
"rowded. But when our population
vases 1OO.000,000, one of two things
pp,mst happen. Either the number
If the members of the House
NJ REPRESENTATIVES must be increased TO
an absurdly large figure, or the smaller
States. and those whose population shows
Tho least percentage of increase, must see
,bair representation IN the House con-
Atlv dwindling away. Mr.. Cox. IN 1880.
was Obliged to cut down the NUMBER OF
representatives in Vermont, New Hamp-
sbire and MARYLAND. Nevada wouldn't
have had any Representative but for the
constitutional provision guaranteeing
each State one, and if the ratio had been
few thousands larger, Delaware would,
hut for the constitution, nave lost lts
single Representative.
Mr.. Cox's first idea was to fix the num-
her upCn which representation is based at
a larger figure than that adopted, but the
rebelIious protests from States which
would thereby lose a Representative or
two were so great that he did not do 1t.
Yet it IS found. that the present member
ship OF the House, 325, is too large, botn
for convenience and for et1clency in
transactlng business. Motions have
already been made to remove the desks,
and seat the members, as In the English
Parliament. on benches. If at the
next apportionment, which follows
the census taken three years
hence, the number of Representa-
tives is increased, Congress will be
obliged either TO enlarge the present
chamber OF the House or buddle the
mem bers together Oh benches. Mr.. Cox
is inclined TO think that there will be
needed in the Congress that follows that
census the highest qualities OF prudence
and craftsmanship in order to prepare an
apDortionment bill that will stand the
least chance of becoming law. One
thing is certain-if the present ratio is
retained the House will number between
400 and 800 members; while, on the other
hand, if the number which makes the
basis is increased many of the older
States will lose Representatives; to only
one or two will be allotted any increased
number, while the new States in the Mis-
sissippi valley will in any event have
greatly increased representation. 1t is
estimated that the population'in 1890 will
be found to be between 65, 200, 600 and 6S,-
0OO,000-a greater number than any re-
public ever had-a greater number than
any limited or constitutional monarchy
now has. At least 70 per cent. of this ID
crease will De found beyond the Missis-
sippi, and gu per cent. of it beyond the Al
leghanies.
II, then, it be decided that no State is
to lose its present mum Der OF Representa-
tVes, the number of members in the next
House will be $50 approximately. New
York, Massachusetts,, and Pennsylvania
would gain-New York two probably, the
other two States one possibly; but 1t is
probable that not another State east of
the Alleghanies, with the possible excep-
ton OF Georgia, would gam single one
Of the l25 new members Nor would there
be any great gains in any of the
States east of the Mississippi. 1t
is probable that from 90 to 100 OF these
new members would be apportioned to
the great States west of the Mississippi.
Texas would press New York very hard
as the State having the largest representa-
llon, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa,
and Dakota, if admitted,
would gain an increased representation
u from ~ to 90 per cent, and Oregon,
lalliornia, and Washington, if it Is ad-
United. would rival many of the older
states In the number of their Representa-
tives.
:, but 1t will be difficult to induce any
congress to pass an apportionment bill
,1Alhg tne number of new members at a
larger figure than $50. Should that num-
oer Dc selected, 1t would fix the ratio OF
representation (approximated) at one for
eacn looOO0 OF population. This would
very greatly reduce the repre-
senIatlon OF the older States, and, If the
lumo Der OF members be kept at the pres
sent ngure (325), New Hampshire, Ver-
mont, Rhode Island, Florida and Nevada
YOU'D be represented by only one men,
TeI eacn; Maine, Connecticut and Mary
,sna by three; and it is doubtful if
siusie state east OF the Alleghanies
w. gam member. Since
.ae census OF 1910 the States on
We Auantlc slope have steadily lost.
. NV ork once had AZ members, Massa-
10, virginia 20, Maine 7, Con-
s roS D; out thou n the population of
none OF these States has decreased. and
.ne total population is more than twice
y great as it was in 1910. and the num-
T ,s VI the members of The House more
s.at lour times as many as were in the
o ~ congress, yet since 1910 every State
~ ~, Tue Atlantic slope has lost representa-
1 num- And though by the year 1900
1HC ro population will be not tar from
D%VoV,oOO' these States must either sub
pa 70 further losses or else the House of
as..presentatlyes must be constituted the
'S Sa legislative body in history. That
'Se Souy 10 too large now Is evident from
,u lSct that the Senate much more thor
'Susniy and intelligently does it's work
,ss .ne House. Texas, California, Kan
,as, probably, Nebraska and Iowa will
' ,Sn,n., many years send a larger repre-.